Visual Studies Workshop Inc

### Context Profile for Visual Studies Workshop Inc

**1. Organization Mission & Cause:**
Visual Studies Workshop Inc (VSW) is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of visual culture through education, exhibitions, and community engagement. Their mission emphasizes the importance of visual literacy and the transformative power of art as a means of social change. VSW aims to create a space where diverse voices can be heard and where art can challenge societal norms and promote inclusivity.

**2. Type of Activities:**
- **Educational Programs:** VSW offers workshops, classes, and seminars focused on visual literacy and art-making.
- **Exhibitions:** The organization hosts exhibitions that showcase both local and international artists, often highlighting underrepresented voices.
- **Community Conversations:** Events like "Holding Space: Creating Belonging in Rochester" facilitate discussions on social issues such as racism, ableism, and sexism, encouraging community reflection and dialogue.
- **Fundraising Campaigns:** VSW conducts campaigns to support their programs and initiatives, engaging the community in their mission.

**3. Tone of Voice:**
The tone of VSW's communications is **friendly**, **inspiring**, and **inclusive**. The language used is approachable yet thoughtful, reflecting their commitment to community engagement and social justice. They often employ a conversational style that invites participation and reflection.

**4. Emoji Usage:**
The website and communications do not prominently feature emojis. The tone remains professional and straightforward, focusing on clarity and the seriousness of the topics discussed rather than casual or playful elements.

**5. Key Facts:**
- **Founding Info:** VSW was established in 1969, making it a long-standing institution in the realm of visual arts and education.
- **Scale:** The organization engages with a diverse community through various programs and events, though specific metrics on reach and impact are not detailed on the website.
- **Volunteer Info:** While specific volunteer information is not highlighted, community involvement is a core aspect of their activities, suggesting opportunities for engagement.

**6. Writing Guidelines:**
- **Clarity and Accessibility:** Use straightforward language that is easy to understand, avoiding jargon unless it is clearly defined.
- **Engagement:** Write in a way that invites the reader to participate, whether through attending events, joining discussions, or supporting campaigns.
- **Inclusivity:** Ensure that language is inclusive and respectful, reflecting the diverse community VSW serves.
- **Inspirational Messaging:** Incorporate a tone that inspires action and reflection, particularly around social justice themes.

This context profile provides a comprehensive overview of Visual Studies Workshop Inc, allowing AI assistants to generate tailored content that aligns with the organization's mission, activities, and communication style.

RSVP

Support VSW

Join us in the VSW theater for an engaged conversation with Qiana Mestrich and Carla Williams about diversity in photographic history and the legacy of&nbsp;Dodge and Burn. Mestrich and Williams are dynamic artists, educators and historians who are concerned with amplifying the works of photographers of color.&nbsp; Mestrich is the author of&nbsp;Decolonization and Diversity in Contemporary Photography,&nbsp;a seminal text based off of her long-running photography blog,&nbsp;Dodge and Burn,&nbsp;which features interviews with artists such as Keisha Scarville, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Lola Flash, Chester Higgins, Jr., Hernease Davis and Nakeya Brown. Williams, who wrote the foreword to Mestrich&rsquo;s book, is a groundbreaking photographer, educator and author. Williams also co-authored&nbsp;The Black Female Body: A Photographic&nbsp;History with Deborah Willis, and her first monograph,&nbsp;Tender, won the 2023 Aperture Foundation First Photobook Award. Their conversation will be moderated by artist and VSW Assistant Curator, Hernease Davis.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration directly supports us in our mission to nurture experimental and expansive approaches to photography and media arts. We will see you there! VSW staffinfo@vsw.orgvsw.org

Join us in the VSW theater for an engaged conversation with Qiana Mestrich and Carla Williams about diversity in photographic history and the legacy of Dodge and Burn. Mestrich and Williams are dynamic artists, educators and historians who are concerned with amplifying the works of photographers of color.  Mestrich is the author of Decolonization and Diversity in Contemporary Photography, a seminal text based off of her long-running photography blog, Dodge and Burn, which features interviews with artists such as Keisha Scarville, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Lola Flash, Chester Higgins, Jr., Hernease Davis and Nakeya Brown. Williams, who wrote the foreword to Mestrich’s book, is a groundbreaking photographer, educator and author. Williams also co-authored The Black Female Body: A Photographic History with Deborah Willis, and her first monograph, Tender, won the 2023 Aperture Foundation First Photobook Award. Their conversation will be moderated by artist and VSW Assistant Curator, Hernease Davis.

Visual Studies Workshop Inc

Qiana Mestrich + Carla J. Williams: Decolonizing Photography History

36 King St

RSVP

Free

Support VSW

$10